Allure took a major risk with its bold January cover featuring a bejeweled Edie Campbell last month and it mostly paid off. The magazine takes two giant steps backward, however, with a washed-out and depressing cover for February 2018. Looking more like a fashion magazine (despite the lack of actual fashion) with a full-body shot, Allure gives up its latest cover to Dakota Johnson. Making her debut on the beauty-focused publication, the actress was photographed by Petra Collins looking rather glum in what looks like a shady motel room.

IMAGE: ALLURE.COM

Our forum members felt the cover left a lot to be desired. “What a sad and depressing looking cover,” described mikel.

“I like the new design of Allure, but this is not good. Dakota looks horrible and thank God she’s not in Vogue again,” voiced caioherrero.

“It might make for an interesting editorial image, but between this and the mention of ‘going bald’, I don’t find this to be an enticing cover design,” stated tigerrouge.

Also not buying it was forum member ellasticia: “I see a lot of fun reference points the team was probably riffing on but the end result is an unappealing mix of busy and flat. There’s nothing remotely alluring about this cover!”